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5 DIY Wood Floor Installation Mistakes You’ll Want to Avoid

For many homeowners in Carrollton, hardwood flooring installation is best left to the professionals. However, some still decide to take on this project themselves. As a result of taking the DIY route, these homeowners often make mistakes and soon become overwhelmed. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid should you choose to install your wood floors yourself.

1. Not Prepping the Floor Correctly

Don’t rush to get your new floor down. Old nails and screws sticking out on the subfloor are easy to miss, and they can damage the new flooring permanently if you don’t remove them. Take the time to make sure the subfloor is free of debris, and that any creaks in the wooden base have been hammered down. Sliding a flat scraper across the floor is an easy way to find anything that might be sticking up.

2. Starting on the Wrong Side of the Floor

Though most modern homes are fairly symmetrical, it’s quite common to find a slight skew to each room. When beginning to lay your wood flooring, start on the side of the room that is most exposed to your line of sight. If possible, end the flooring in an area you intend to cover with furniture. Taking this step helps conceal skews that become visible due to straight flooring not lining up with the room.

3. Cutting Flooring Incorrectly

There’s an old carpenter’s saying: “Measure twice, cut once.” Improper measurements of flooring materials can lead to wasted pieces, which is essentially equal to throwing away money. Double-check your measurements before laying each piece that needs to be cut.

4. Forming the Dreaded H-Joint

An H-Joint is created when there isn’t any variety to the pattern of your flooring. The boards end at the same point in every other row, which creates the appearance of an H. These joints will warp quickly and pop boards out of place, leaving you to do the job over again. Stagger the joints as much as possible to help keep them in place.

5. Not Leaving Enough Space Between the Floor and the Walls

Going right up to the very edge of the wall with your flooring is a recipe for disaster. Like metal, wood expands and contracts with the temperature. If the flooring doesn’t have any breathing room, it can pop up at the joints. Make sure you leave one centimeter of space between the wall and the outer edge of the flooring.

For additional tips on DIY flooring installation, get in touch with the flooring and design experts at Carpet Mills of America in Carrollton. We offer a wide variety of gorgeous hardwood floors, and we also carry many unique tile, laminate, vinyl, and carpet flooring options. For a free quote on the flooring Carrollton homeowners love or our professional installation services, call 972-418-6606 to speak with one of our friendly representatives.